Experienced striker Jason Scotland is looking to provide Ipswich with a slimline tonic in the season ahead.

Scotland will go into today’s first Championship game of the new campaign, at home to relegated Blackburn, more than half a stone lighter than he finished last term.

The Trinidad & Tobago international starred in Tuesday’s comfortable Capital One Cup first round victory over Bristol Rovers, equalising five minutes before the break after the visitors had taken a shock lead to put Town en route to a 3-1 victory and a second round visit to Carlisle.

Eagle-eyed fans may have spotted the weight reduction and Scotland confirmed: “I have lost eight pounds because I wanted to be fitter and leaner than last season. I want to be as sharp as possible when called upon.”

The former Swansea and Wigan striker has so far netted 20 times in 82 appearances, 26 of them as a substitute, and fully accepts he is not going to be given a starting role for every game.

He added: “I want to play every game but I know that isn’t going to happen. My body probably won’t allow me to play as many times as my mind wants me to play.

“I am 33 — 34 in February — and as you get older you have to accept that you are not going to be playing all the time, Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday, throughout the season.

“I just want to make sure that I am as fit as possible to play when required and contribute as much as I can. I have spoken to the gaffer about this and he has said he will use me in certain games and also give me a rest at times.”

The fact that Scotland and fellow countryman Carlos Edwards — the club skipper will be 34 in October — are the most senior members of Paul Jewell’s squad is certainly not lost on him.

He added: “We know we are the most experienced players and we will both be looking to help instil a winning mentality into the younger guys.”

Photo: Action Images

bigolconnor added 07:47 - Aug 18 The Tobago Two have certainly gone up in my estimations over the last couple of seasons. In their twilight years they seem to want nothing more than to help the club. They have even taken reduced wages and train harder than ever. Glowing examples of professionalism for the younger players.
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Jimmys_Law added 08:12 - Aug 18 Could not agree more with you bigolconnor. It will be a great shame when the pair of them have to retire, although they just seem to be getting better and better recently.
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Ipswich24 added 08:32 - Aug 18 Good to have you on board him and Edwards can be vital this season COYB
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irishtim added 08:58 - Aug 18 Great to see good honest pros.
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stinkiusminkius added 09:57 - Aug 18 Excellent attitude. And these individual training programmes over the summer seem to have done wonders. Good management.
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Lennyboy added 10:02 - Aug 18 If Jason continues the form from last year, I believe he will be a contender for player of the year, especially with his attitude. This is what Ipswich are about, as irishtim said; good honest pros.
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LankHenners added 12:16 - Aug 18 bigolconnor: spot on! Jason's hold up play and ability on the ball is great and really helps out Chopra and Martin running through the middle. And as we know, he's got a great shot on him as well.
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jclark20 added 14:50 - Aug 18 @bigolconnor Agreed! The fans have given Edwards way too much stick. Okay so he's not the best right back, but that's because he's not a right back! He's taken a pay cut of more than half, started I think every game except from one last season, retired from internationals and tried to adapt to a different position just to help the club! The man deserves more respect.
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tim added 18:07 - Aug 20 [italicize:text] sweet
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tim added 18:09 - Aug 20 <i>sweet</i>
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